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The Seventh Lesson: Buddhism.1265
the Buddhists freely acknowledge Jesus as a Divine Messenger sent to teach
the “heathen” of the Western worlds—a Buddha of the West, in fact.
* * *
Our students, familiar with the Inner Teachings of the Hindu Philosophy,
have been able to read into Buddhism the Fundamental Truths, according
to the interpretation of Gautama, and to trace the differences and
correspondences between it and the several other systems. The point of
the greatest difference between our own teachings and those of Buddha
is regarding the extremely Pessimistic view of the universe—the dwelling
upon the Pain, and overlooking the Joy. Life is neither Joy nor Pain, but a
commingling of both. He who puts on the blue spectacles of Pessimism
sees everything “blue”; while he who dons the rose-coloured spectacles of
Optimism sees everything “rosy”—the pure clear glasses of Understanding
sees neither colour, but everything in its relation and true colouring.
Another great point of difference is that in which Gautama pictures that
allowing itself to be the subject to illusion and Avidya, and involved in the
baleful Samsara existence—this being a tendency among the majority of
Hindu Philosophies. To us, The Absolute—that—Brahman, is not deluded
or fooled by Avidya or Maya, but is pursuing a Divine Plan of Manifestation
and Mental Creation, in full knowledge and wisdom, for purposes and ends
unknown to man, but satisfactory to the Divine Knowing, and which has
always Ultimate Justice and Absolute Good in view—guided by the Light of
Infinite Love. This is the antidote for Pessimism.
Special Message VII
For this month we invite you to participate in the contemplation and
consideration of the following gems of Spiritual Truth, gathered from the
inexhaustible mines of the Hindu Thought: